Method of storing hides.



dyed at any time,

WILLIAM H. ALLEN, 015 DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

METHOD OF STORING HIDES.

No Drawing.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 26, 1914.

Application filed March 12, 1913. Serial No. 753,858.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. ALLEN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Detroit, in the county of Vayne and State of Michigan, have invented a new and Improved Method of Storing Hides, of which the following is a specification.

This invention consists in the storing in a previously prepared atmosphere of freshly -tanned and antiseptically treated hides, so

in proper condition to be as desired, and comprises the saturation of the atmosphere of the room in which the hides are stored with moisture and an antiseptic Vapor, preferably formaldehyde.

Chrome tanned leather is usually dyed that they may be 'assoon as it comes out of the tanning vats,

for if it should dry before being dyed and finished, the surface assumes a pebbly or crinkly appearance on being wetted, which cannot be gotten rid of by any subsequent treatment. It is therefore necessary to dye the hides immediately after they are taken from the tanning vat, which is often a matter of great risk, as there may be no further demand for leather of that particular shade which may have been extremely popular up to that time. At present, tanned leather is always dyed and finished immediately after tanning.

I first rinse the tanned hides in an antiseptic solution, preferably Lof formaldehyde to 1000 of water, and I have found that such specially treated hides may be stored in a closed chamber having an atmosphere fully saturated with moisture and formaldehyde or other antiseptic, racks, for months at a time. atmospheric solution of one tenth of one per cent. of formaldehyde gas,

in piles or on Byusing an molding of the leather does not occur. The room should be sealed, with water on the floor or in receptacles, the specially treated hides resting on frames or on grids on the'fioor. If desired, a steam pipe may extend into the room and steam therefrom may keep the atmosphere saturated. As the hides are tanned and treated as above they can be placed in this room before they dry, and the stock can be readily examined'to select the desired hides to' fill orders as they are received. This process of storing leather is particularly adapted for chrome leather as that is not susceptible of proper finish if dried before dying and fat-liquoring.

I claim- 1. The process of keeping tanned hides in condition for dyeing which consists in storingthem while still wet in a chamber whose atmosphere is saturated with moisture and an antiseptic.

2. The process of keeping tanned hides in condition for dyeing which consists in storing them while still wet in a chamber whose atmosphere is saturated with moisture and contains a small proportion of formaldehyde gas on supports to keep the hides up off the floor of the chamber.

3. The treating of tanned hides with a solution of an antiseptic and retaining the moisture in said hides by storing them while still wet in a closed chamber.

' .In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribmg witnesses.

WILLIAM H. ALLEN.

Witnesses:

EDWARD N. PAGELSEN, Huco W. KREINBRING. 

